Hey there!

I have a new book out that I'm extremely excited about.

This has been in the works for months, but I've been keeping it under wraps because I wanted it to be a fun surprise on launch day.

Which, here we are.

Surprise!

Last spring, a group of sci-fi writer friends approached me about editing a holiday-themed anthology. I agreed—but with one stipulation:

I wanted every story to include a holiday recipe.

I mean, why not make a weird concept just a little bit weirder?

These ten authors seriously delivered! Much like the other anthologies I've edited in the CROOKED series, this one contains stories set in larger universes. So if you enjoy R.M. Olsen's cookie heist, Tami Veldura's egg-rolling dragon, MJ Blehart's latke-based adventures, or K. Gorman's extremely on-brand festival shenanigans, you can go follow the characters on more adventures.

As a gift to all our readers, the ebook is free through the end of December. You'll find a link below, along with the ridiculous cover which I'm ridiculously happy with.

But first!

There's nothing better than sipping a cozy beverage while reading a book, am I right?

Especially when that beverage is served in a really wonderful mug!

My friend Tim Clark—a ceramic artist and fellow one-eyed pirate—organizes a very cool fundraiser each October as part of Blindness Awareness Month. It's called the Blindfolded Mug Challenge, and in it, Tim recruits other ceramic artists to make mugs while blindfolded.

At the end of the challenge, they auction off the mugs. The proceeds go to the Fun Eye Fund, which helps pay for fun prosthetic eyes for people who need them.

A charity supporting fun prosthetic eyes, you might ask?

Getting my first fun prosthetic was a game changer for me. Losing an eye affects your identity in a really profound way that's hard to describe, and being able to customize my prosthetic gave me back my agency. It allowed me to define myself, rather than being defined by my eye loss.

Over the years, I've met so many people with a similar story. People who lacked self confidence because of their appearance, who now feel whole because they have a prosthetic that celebrates who they are instead of trying to hide it.

The work the Fun Eye Fund does—especially in helping kids who have lost their eyes—is really fantastic! And the work the ceramic artists did as part of this challenge is really phenomenal.

I took a screenshot of some of the mugs, but be sure to click through to see all the cool designs! And if you see one that strikes your fancy, bid on it in support of a good cause.

(If you want to see videos of the ceramic artists making their mugs, go check out Tim's profile on Instagram: @thehalfblindpotter.)

OK.

As for what to read while drinking your hot cocoa out of your new blindfolded ceramic mug...

Now I Have a Raygun, Ho-Ho-Ho!

Sci-Fi Holiday Stories with Recipes! Edited by Jessie Kwak Blasters, sleigh bells, and recipes from beyond the stars! Now I Have a Raygun, Ho-Ho-Ho! is your Secret Santa gift of ten sci-fi stories, where the cocoa is hot, the lasers are hotter, and no one is safe from the merry chaos. From toy thieves to red-nosed drones in the air ducts to winter carnival heists, this book will stuff your stocking with mischief and misadventure. Best of all, every story comes with a recipe so you can eat like the holiday hero you are. The collection includes stories and recipes from Jeannette Bedard, MJ Blehart, Peter J. Foote, K. Gorman, R.M. Olson, Audrey Sharpe, Andrew Sweet, Heather Texle, Tami Veldura, and A. Webster. Edited by Jessie Kwak. Ebook is free on all retailers. Get My Copy!

Happy reading,

Jessie